Nepal's Environment Minister Cites Complex Procedures Hindering Policy Reform

Kathmandu. Minister for Forest and Environment, Madhav Prasad Chaugain, stated that the process for policy reform in Nepal is complex.

Addressing a program on carbon trading organized in Lalitpur on Sunday, he mentioned that the process for policy reform in Nepal is cumbersome. He added that although the process for formulating policy related to carbon trading has begun, it has not yet reached a conclusion.

He stated that the slow policy formulation process is creating a situation where investors cannot enter this sector. According to Minister Chaugain, due to procedural complexities and delays, only a limited group capable of taking high risks appears likely to participate in the carbon market.

He informed that some work related to carbon has already been underway at the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC). He mentioned that the report for the Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC-3) has created a large carbon market.

According to him, the draft of the Action Plan for NDC-3 is in its final stage. He informed that further policy and programmatic work can be advanced based on that action plan once it is made public.